{"id":52421,"date":"2025-06-29T12:52:48","date_gmt":"2025-06-29T07:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=52421"},"modified":"2025-06-30T17:59:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T12:29:11","slug":"secondary-pollutants-now-a-major-contributor-to-indias-pm2-5-burden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/secondary-pollutants-now-a-major-contributor-to-indias-pm2-5-burden\/","title":{"rendered":"Secondary Pollutants Now a Major Contributor to India\u2019s PM2.5 Burden"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secondary Pollutants Latest News<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A recent study has revealed that Secondary Pollutants are responsible for nearly one-third of India\u2019s fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding Secondary PM2.5 Pollution in India<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) is <\/span><b>one of the most hazardous components of air pollution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, responsible for serious respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditionally, primary pollutants such as soot and dust from burning fossil fuels have been considered the chief contributors to PM2.5 levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, new research highlights the rising significance of secondary pollutants, especially ammonium sulphate, as key components of India\u2019s air pollution challenge.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Primary and Secondary Pollutants: A Distinction<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Primary pollutants originate directly from emission sources such as vehicle exhaust, coal-fired power plants, and biomass burning.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In contrast, secondary pollutants are formed when primary pollutants react with each other or with atmospheric elements like water vapour and sunlight.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These reactions lead to the formation of complex particles like ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate, which can be equally or more harmful.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key Findings of the CREA Study<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to a study by the <\/span><b>Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (CREA), secondary pollutants, especially ammonium sulphate, constitute up to 34% of India\u2019s PM2.5 mass.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This widespread presence was identified using satellite-based imagery and atmospheric modelling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nationwide Impact:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The average ammonium sulphate concentration across India was found to be 11.9 \u03bcg\/m\u00b3.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These concentrations are not limited to cities near pollution hotspots, but extend nationwide due to the transboundary nature of air pollution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Coal Plants as a Major Source:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over 60% of India\u2019s sulphur dioxide (SO\u2082) emissions, the precursor to ammonium sulphate, are linked to coal-fired thermal power plants. These facilities become the primary driver of secondary PM2.5 formation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Higher Concentration near Coal Plants:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within 10 km of coal power plants, ammonium sulphate concentrations were 2.5 times higher (15 \u03bcg\/m\u00b3) compared to areas beyond that range (6 \u03bcg\/m\u00b3).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Near these plants, it accounts for 36% of PM2.5 pollution, whereas even distant areas reported a significant 23% contribution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Status of Emission Control Measures<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although it is mandatory for Indian coal thermal plants to install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems to reduce SO\u2082 emissions, compliance has been poor; only about 8% of such plants have installed the required units.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further, reports suggest that the government is contemplating rolling back this requirement, which could severely undermine efforts to reduce secondary PM2.5.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Impact Across NCAP Cities<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The findings are particularly significant for the 130 cities identified under the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/national-clean-air-programme-ncap\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Clean Air Programme<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (NCAP).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These cities are mandated to reduce pollution by 20-30% by 2025-26, but face an uphill task given the high concentration of secondary pollutants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Concentration Levels:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PM2.5 levels due to ammonium sulphate in these cities ranged from 3.9 to 22.5 \u03bcg\/m\u00b3.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Widespread Presence:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 114 out of the 130 NCAP cities, ammonium sulphate made up more than 30% of the total PM2.5 burden.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Combined Effect:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Including ammonium nitrate, secondary pollutants could constitute up to 50% of PM2.5 pollution in urban areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strategies for Mitigation<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To address the growing burden of secondary pollutants, a multipronged strategy is required:<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strict Implementation of Emission Norms:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enforcement of FGD installation in coal power plants must be non-negotiable. Regulatory rollback would be counterproductive to public health goals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Agricultural and Industrial Reforms:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Efficient fertiliser management can reduce ammonia emissions, which are a key reactant in forming secondary particles.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Source-Specific Action:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pollution mitigation efforts must target both direct emission sources and precursor gases like SO\u2082 and NH\u2083.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Transboundary Cooperation:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given the dispersal nature of secondary pollutants, regional coordination between states is essential for effective air quality management.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Real-Time Monitoring and Research:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investments in air quality monitoring infrastructure and continuous data-driven research are needed to identify evolving patterns in pollution dynamics.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Source :<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/secondary-pollutants-constitute-up-to-third-of-pm25-pollution\/article69748715.ece#:~:text=Getty%20Images%2FiStockphoto-,Secondary%20pollutants%2C%20particularly%20ammonium%20sulphate%2C%20that%20results%20from%20the%20reaction,and%20Clean%20Air%20(CREA).\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TH<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New CREA study finds secondary pollutants, mainly ammonium sulphate from coal power plants, make up to one-third of India\u2019s PM2.5 pollution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":52724,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[60,1155,22,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-52421","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-mains-articles","9":"tag-secondary-pollutants","10":"tag-upsc-current-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52421"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52421\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}